Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz California Bin 600 2018 1.5L

94 points James Halliday (Wine Companion): "78% cabernet (Napa Valley and Sonoma) with 22% shiraz (Paso Robles). Matured 16 months in 60/40% 1yo/new American oak barrels. Peter Gago describes his entry-level ('if you'd call it that!') California blend as strongly Australian influenced, 'because there couldn't be anything more Australian than cabernet shiraz' He lets cabernet take the lead here, 'because it's so much better than shiraz in California.' The ultimate multicultural marriage, a far-flung take on the great Australian blend, exuberantly celebrating the luscious, ripe and generous mood of California within the signature scaffolding of Penfolds. A core of cabernet is proclaimed in impressive blackcurrant and cassis, with a fleshy mid palate built by the spicy blackberry fruit of shiraz. In time, it morphs triumphantly into intense fresh licorice straps. Fine American oak and fruit tannins unite to form a taut frame that declares a strong finish of great length and grand potential. Closure: Cork. 14.5% alcohol. Drink by 2038. (2/16/21)"

93 points James Suckling: "A very fine and polished red with cherry, berry, chocolate and cedar aromas and flavors. Some spice and meat with hints of tea leaf. Some ash, too. Medium body and extremely refined texture, showing real balance and elegance. The tannins spread across the palate in a beautiful way. 78% cabernet sauvignon and 22% shiraz. Drink or hold. (2/4/21)"

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$50 list] This is a blend of 78% Napa Valley- and Sonoma-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Shiraz from Paso Robles. It is a smooth and earthy wine that offers flavors of leather, earth, iron and crushed rock cut against herbal accents. Alcohol 14.5%. (Apr 2021)"

92 points David Sly (Decanter): "It’s a brassy move to indoctrinate Californian fruit with a strapping Aussie identity, in a Cab-Shiraz clearly fashioned to fit the Penfolds' mould. The addition of 22% Shiraz brings warmth and plum pudding generosity to the mid-palate, a warm embrace of firm red fruits that is both bold and cohesive. An arresting nose presents lifted spice notes – clove, allspice and nutmeg – along with a shaving of cedar wood, while the assertive oak influence and biting tannins speak with a boisterous Australian accent rather than a Californian drawl. (Feb 2021)"

92 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Cabernet Shiraz Bin 600 is the entry-level wine in this new range from Penfolds. Bold and racy to the core, the 2018 possesses terrific richness and tons of allure. Blackberry jam, dried flowers, espresso, licorice and leather build in a sumptuous, opulent wine that will be very easy to drink upon release. The blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Shiraz from sites in Napa Valley, Sonoma and Paso Robles works so well here. It spent 16 months in American oak, 40% new. Drink: 2024-2033. (Jan 2021)"

90 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "[$50 list] This 2018 Bin 600 is the first release of this new Penfolds California label. It is a blend of two different regions and two different varieties: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and 22% Shiraz from their vineyards in the Camatta Hills area of California Central Coast (about 15 miles east of Paso Robles). The interesting twist to the story behind this wine is that Block 10 in the Camatta Hills vineyard was planted in the late 1990s with Shiraz cuttings from two of Penfolds's most iconic South Australia vineyards: Magill Estate and Kalimna vineyard. This is the Shiraz component. 'So,' Peter Gago told me, 'this has been a project in the making for a long time. We see this project as a continuation—making wine through a Penfolds lens, but made in California.' Drink: 2021-2030. (Feb 2021)"

90 points Wine Spectator: "[$50 list] Modest in scale, but delivers a pure beam of raspberry and cherry purée, with light floral and anise hints in the background. Finish is unencumbered by toast and lingers prettily. Tasted three times, with consistent notes. Drink now through 2022. (6/30/21)"